Bewitching The Recluse [BOOK 2 of Price Family Saga]

2. Chapter (The Ball)

The ball was in full swing, and Aileen had just left her sisters to dance with an uncomely young lord she has chosen to 'save'. Eliza then turned to Bella and inquired, "Why do you not partake in the dance? Had Ailie scared off all the gentlemen? Or had she pilfered their legs?" Eliza asked, a smirk gracing her face.

"Pst," whispered Bella, startled, her bored sight momentarily replaced, "he approaches."

Bella was as taut as a drawn bowstring, her heart racing as the man who had captured her affections two years prior and had frequently graced her nocturnal reveries now advanced to her with purpose.

At long last, he had come to request a dance! He must have discerned the sender of those ardent love missives, she mused. At the notion, she stood transfixed, incapable of forming a coherent sentence, despite having envisioned and dreamt of this and many scenarios countless times, both by night and day, by candlelight and sunlight.

"Lady Eliza Price," he began, bowing first to Eliza and then to Bella, "I am most delighted to encounter you once more."

"The pleasure is mine, your Grace," Eliza replied with a quick curtsy.

Marquess St. Arcey smiled and leaned in closer. "Wouldst you be my rescuer?"

Bella watched him in a daze, while Eliza nodded firmly in response to his question.

"Pray, do thy dance card overfloweth?" Travis inquired, as if Bella were entirely inconspicuous in that moment.

"Aye, but my partner is nowhere to be found—" Eliza couldn't finish her sentence, as he was already leading her onto the dance floor.

Her younger sister observed them both with wide eyes, finding it hard to believe what just transpired in front of her.

Since when have those two grown so intimate? How is it that I failed to observe this sooner? It was the moment she resolved to pay closer heed to her sister, for, in the end, she had already selected Lord Leighton to be her betrothed... However, the sight of them dancing together, and the gaze in Travis' eyes as he engaged with Eliza, commenced to gnaw at her from within like a malevolent draught, eroding her sound judgment. 

Bella had hitherto been oblivious to the extent of her capacity for jealousy, particularly towards her own sister, yet she found herself unable to resist the tempest that now ruled over every fibre of her being. She was, after all, utterly enamoured with Travis for better or worse – with his gentlemanly comportment, resonant timbre, and eyes the hue of hazel kissed by verdant leaves. She observed the two until the music ceased and they parted ways – for Eliza, a suitor from her list had arrived. Travis made his way towards the gardens, and Bella trailed after him, until a looming figure impeded her path, thwarting her progress.

"My dearest Isabella, were I in your shoes, I would concentrate my attentions on those gentlemen who hold a genuine interest in you."

Bella struggled to conceal her discomfort as her gaze met the grinning countenance of the venerable matron with her strikingly verdant eyes akin to a snake. With a gracious smile, the lady gazed upon Bella, clearly believing she was sparing her from her own thoughtless actions—a sentiment Bella would later come to acknowledge.

"Lady Kendall," Bella retorted with a modicum of sharpness, "I perceive that dispensing counsel is as natural to you as indulging in idle gossip. It is only a great pity that I have no need for either," in the hope that she might be left to her own devices.

Yet, the lady responded with hearty laughter and linked her arm with Bella's. The young lady, albeit with some reluctance, acquiesced and heaved a sigh of unfeigned frustration as she couldn't possibly deny this involuntary courtesy.